Sample Syllabus
A representative course syllabus from one of my physiological psychology course can be found below. PSYCH 335: PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGYFALL 1996
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Professor: Office: Phone: |
Paul J. Wellman 199a Psychology Building 282-2557 (office) 111-0475 (Secretary) 496-2592 (lab) Email: PJW@PSYC.TAMU.EDU |
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| Lectures: | Friday 9-12 noon in 224 Psychology | ||
| Text: | Carlson, Neil R,. 1994. PHYSIOLOGY OF BEHAVIOR. Needham, MA: Allyn and Bacon, (5th Ed.) | ||
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COURSE DETAILS Description Psychology 335 is an undergraduate psychology survey course that examines our knowledge as to how behavior (feeding, drinking, sex, and even cognition) is controlled by physiology (hormones, neurons, and neurotransmitters). The content of the course falls into three areas: a) an examination of neurons and transmitters; b) a description of sensory and motor systems; and c) a summary of various behaviors and how these are controlled by the brain and the peripheral nervous system. The course assumes some background in biology and/or physiology. The course prerequisite is a single course in either biology (BIOL 100-400) or zoology (ZOOL 100-400). Lectures and Class Attendance The class will meet for 3 hours once per week. I will use the class period to present lecture material, to give demonstrations, to show videotapes of physiological experiments, and to discuss the text material. You are responsible for all material that is covered in lecture and the text. Class attendance is expected of all students. Some of the material I cover is not in the text and I reserve the right to use the lecture period to go over critical material as well as to test current knowledge. Finally, this course has no formal laboratory. Exams Grades will be based on three term exams. Each exam will be equally weighted at 100 points. Each exam will consist of identifications, fill-ins, true/false statements, figure completions and the ever-popular essays. Material will be drawn from the lectures, demonstrations, and the readings (see reading list on following page). Grades will be assigned on a straight percentage basis (90% of 300 points will warrant an "A", etc,). Please do not miss an exam unexcused (consult the University catalog for a litany of Official Excuses...). Excused makeup exams will take place during the last week of classes. An example of a reading assignments summary with schedule: (NOTE: This course was arranged as a single three-hour block per week). | |||
| DATE | TOPIC | READING(S): | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 03 | Course introduction | 1 | |
| Neurons | 2 | ||
| 10 | Neurophysiology | 2,3 | |
| Synaptic integration | 2,3 | ||
| 17 | Neurotransmitters | 3 | |
| 24 | Neuroanatomy | 4 | |
| Oct 01 | Methodology | 5 | |
| Research Ethics | Miller, 1986 | ||
| Oct 01 | EXAM 1 | ||
| 08 | Sensory coding/vision | 6 | |
| 15 | Audition | 7 | |
| 22 | Tactile | 7 | |
| 29 | Movement | 8 | |
| EXAM 2 | |||
| Nov 05 | Sleep and circadian rhythms | 9 | |
| Nov 12 | Feeding | 13 | |
| 19 | No Class (Society for Neuroscience) | --- | |
| 26 | Drinking | 12 | |
| Sexual Behavior | 10 | ||
| Dec 03 | Reward | 16 | |
| Memory | 14,15 | ||
| 10 | Abnormal | 18 | |
Note: this reading outline was created for the 5th edition of Carlson.
Final Exam: Wednesday December 18, 1996 from 1-3 pm in Psychology Room 224